SuicidalThoughtsScottArticle

For many who suffer from depression, it is not uncommon to have
thoughts of suicide. These thoughts can range from mild to severe, and can
change depending on mood, time or day, season, and other factors. No matter how
bad you are feeling at the moment, it is important to know that it will pass
and you will get better. Suicide is never the answer. It is a permanent
mistake, disguised as a solution, to a temporary problem.

What to do if you’re
feeling suicidal right now

The first thing to do if you’re currently entertaining thoughts
of harming yourself is to do nothing. It’s important to put space between
intense emotions and action. Vow to give yourself at least 24 hours to cool
down. Next it’s vital that you reach out to someone. It doesn’t matter who - a
friend, family member, doctor, therapist - as long as you trust them.

If you want to talk to someone right now, no matter what time
it is, who will maintain complete confidentiality and who is trained to talk to
those in crisis, you should call the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline. The number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). There will be a
caring person there to talk to you 24/7/365. It is a safe space with no
judgement, only talking.

You can also call suicide hotlines in your specific area. Here
is a list of the hotlines, organized by state.

IMAlive.com
is another option. It’s an online-only center staffed with people trained in
crisis prevention. It’s available 24 hours a day and is a good option if you
want to talk, but not on the phone.

“People often turn to suicide because they are seeking relief
from pain. Remember that relief is a feeling. And you have to be alive to feel
it. You will not feel the relief you so desperately seek, if you are dead,” says
Metanoia.org.

How to combat depression
and suicidal thoughts in the long term

If you ever have suicidal thoughts, there’s a good chance they
are recurring. You need to take steps to rework your lifestyle in order to
minimize the underlying cause of your suicidal thoughts, which oftentimes is
depression. Depression is not weakness - it’s a medical condition. You should
talk to a doctor if you think you’re suffering from depression.

It’s a good idea to avoid drugs and alcohol as well, as they
can lead to a situation where you are too under the influence to make rational
decisions. Not only that, but their prolonged use exacerbates mental problems -
even if they seem to alleviate them in the short-term. If you feel like you
have a problem with addiction, try calling one of these recovery and addiction specialty
hotlines.

Some stats on suicide

If you are having suicidal thoughts, you are not alone.
Worldwide, there is a death by suicide every 40 minutes. It’s every 13 minutes
in the United States. One out of every 25 suicide attempts results in a death.
Suicide affects people of all ages, but it’s the 3rd leading cause of death for
those aged 15-44 worldwide. Depression is the #1 cause of suicide. About
20 million adults suffer from depression in the US, and 25% of young adults
will have to deal with depression before they reach the age of 24.

No matter how bad life seems at the moment, suicide is never
the answer. Millions of people have battled their suicidal thoughts and now
live happy, healthy lives - so you can do it. It may sound cliche, but in this
case it’s very accurate to say it’s often darkest before the dawn. Suicide is
the one mistake that’s permanent. Everything else is temporary.